Jennifer Petersen, LMSW

I bring a warm and collaborative approach to therapy, allowing plenty of space for big emotions alongside humor and laughter as we take on challenging things together. I use a DBT-informed therapeutic approach, helping patients embrace dialectical thinking–that two opposite things can be true at once (i.e. acceptance of negative circumstances and wanting to work towards change) and by teaching DBT skills in session.

During our first session, I spend a lot of time getting to know you and what brings you to therapy. We’ll talk about your personal, mental health, medical, social, and cultural histories to get a clear sense of who you are, what you want, and the challenges you continue to face. I will also incorporate clinical assessments that are relevant to, or could provide further insight into, your presenting issues. We will work together to define specific goals that you would like to focus on in your future therapy sessions.

Patients have said that they really like my style and have valued our work together. Other patients have noted gaining the ability to look at their feelings and patterns more objectively, which has helped reduce shame and frustration, allowing them to work more closely with difficult issues like depression and addiction. Patients have said they appreciate the way I listen without judgement and provide frameworks or alternative narratives that have been a more helpful and productive way of looking at their issues.

I think my varied background and life experiences (having worked in corporate and non-profit across two different parts of the country and with very diverse populations) helps people feel seen and heard and more connected to me because they can tell I understand the context they are coming from.

Credentials

Education

MSW, Hunter College (CUNY)–Silberman School of Social Work

Personal Interests

I’m a native Texan who spent nearly 20 years in NYC. I love long city walks, hiking, dancing, writing (I’ve started about 5 different blogs in my lifetime), and scouting out the best cup of coffee.